Motivation

What do you care what other people think?

Ben asks this question in his blog “Does my startup idea suck?” Over the course of the last eight months, I have come to respect Ben. No, I have never met him in person. I have only met him through his writings. And quality writing he does!

Often he does ask some hard hitting questions and this is one of them. While he goes on to explain how to handle the negative opinions and other morale boosting advice, I will take a different approach. To his question, I will instead ask, “Why do you NEED to ask anyone?” When in doubt, you lack information – plain and simple. To clear it, get information.

Where’s the darn data when you need it?

You don’t give up living because your friend always says “Life sucks”, do you? Your data and information on life tells you otherwise. Gather the relevant information – in fact asking people for data on your industry will be more productive than asking, “Does my idea suck?” Research your target market and make sure you know more about your market than anyone else. Let information be the factor that drives your self-doubt away – not people’s opinions.

When I was in my tenth grade I read What Do You Care What Other People Think?: Further Adventures of a Curious Character“(Click to review the book and purchase if interested) by Richard Fynman: a curious character indeed. But what struck me the most was he did not seek the opinion – rather his wife did not seek the opinion of people before firing up the barbeque on the hospital lawn.

Ask at your own peril

I have a friend, who in college (about 13 years ago) used to ask everyone he met on courses to take, what to major in, which field would enable him to land a cushy job, etc. In the end he would be quite confused and lost. My parents used to tell me to take his picture and place it in my room during the days leading up to the exams, in the hope that I take my exams seriously. That was how worked up he used to get hearing other people’s opinions.

While Ben does not suggest you go to these lengths (he only advices on how to counter negative comments), my recommendation is not to ask anyone. We all view the world with our respective lenses and it usually gets in the way of a businesses decision - one that is backed by data. People’s perception is their reality and if you have the courage and the vision to perceive differently, don’t get trapped into all that “getting people’s opinions” stuff.

Do you believe in you?
If you have the belief and the conviction that the path you have set out is backed by data and information with a reasonable amount of risk, then plunge in and do not stop to ask people their opinions. Your customers (target market, prospects or whatever you want to call them) are what you need to be concerned about.

There is a difference between conducting a market research (formally or informally) and asking people their opinion. You do not ask your prospects their opinion – you ensure their needs are met with your solution.

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